Bacon lovers rejoice!
Wright Brand Bacon, known for its hand-trimmed and thick-cut, wood-smoked bacon, has been a staple in kitchens across America for nearly a century.
But who owns this iconic brand? The answer may surprise you.
From humble beginnings in the back of a local grocery store, the company has grown into a multimillion-dollar business with a long and fascinating history.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ownership of Wright Brand Bacon, its growth over the years, and what the future holds for this beloved brand.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn all about the delicious bacon that has been a breakfast favorite for generations.
Who Owns Wrights Bacon?
Wright Brand Bacon was originally founded in 1922 by Egbert Eggleston in Vernon, Texas. The company started out small, operating out of the back of a local grocery store. However, over the years, it grew into a major player in the meat-packing industry, with more than 225 employees in the 1960s and 650 in 1998.
In 2001, Wright Brand Foods was purchased by Tyson Foods, Inc., a multinational corporation that specializes in the production of meat and poultry products. Since then, Tyson Foods has continued to invest in the Wright Brand Bacon facility in Vernon, Texas, expanding production and creating new jobs.
Today, Wright Brand Bacon is still owned by Tyson Foods and is one of their most successful brands. The company employs over 750 people and is a vital part of the Vernon community.
The Early Days Of Wright Brand Bacon
Wright Brand Bacon was founded by Egbert Eggleston, his son Fay, and son-in-law Roy Wright in 1922. The trio had a mission to create a thicker, fuller-flavored slice of bacon, and they did it with craftsmanship, commitment, and a mouth-watering family recipe.
The company started small, operating out of the back of a local grocery store in Vernon, Texas. The founders hand-selected every pork belly and trimmed it to perfection. They cured it, smoked each piece over real hickory wood, and hand-trimmed every thick slice. When they finally tasted their handiwork, they knew their careful attention to detail had paid off.
The Vernon community supported the brand every step of the way, helping to show the world what real bacon should taste like. Wright Brand Bacon grew dramatically and steadily over the years. By the 1960s, the company had more than 225 employees, and by 1998, it had 650 employees.
In 2001, Wright Brand Foods was purchased by Tyson Foods, Inc., but the company’s commitment to quality remained unchanged. Today, Wright Brand Bacon is still produced in Vernon, Texas, and is known for its hand-trimmed and thick-cut, wood-smoked bacon available in hickory smoked, applewood smoked, double smoke, and maple-flavored bacon.
Despite its success and growth over the years, Wright Brand Bacon has never lost sight of its roots. The company’s founders would be proud to see that their dedication to craftsmanship and quality has lived on for 100 years.
The Rise To Popularity
Over the years, Wright Brand Bacon has become a household name, known for its hand-trimmed and thick-cut, wood-smoked bacon. The brand has gained popularity due to its 90-year proprietary curing recipe, which has perfected the bacon flavors. Additionally, the bacon category has seen volume growth, up 18% since 2017, with new people entering the category and existing buyers consuming more bacon, most recently due to an increase in at-home meals.
Wright Brand Bacon has surpassed category growth during this same time period by 29%, indicating that the brand is resonating with consumers. The expansion of the Vernon facility by Tyson Foods is a testament to this growth and popularity. The investment of $26 million in the expansion is expected to meet current demand while allowing room for additional growth.
Furthermore, the addition and enhancements to the Wright Brand facility in Vernon, Texas, have been well-received by the local community. The expansion is expected to create 32 new jobs, bringing total employment at the plant to more than 800 people. This is great news for the community and a testament to Tyson Foods’ commitment to being one of the largest employers in Vernon for nearly 100 years.
Changes In Ownership
Over the course of its nearly 100-year history, Wright Brand Bacon has seen a few changes in ownership. The company was founded by Egbert Eggleston and eventually passed down to his son Fay and son-in-law Roy Wright. However, in 2001, the company was purchased by Tyson Foods, Inc.
The acquisition by Tyson Foods allowed for continued growth and investment in the Wright Brand Bacon facility in Vernon, Texas. In 2021, Tyson Foods announced a $26 million expansion of the facility to meet growing demand for the brand.
Despite changes in ownership, Wright Brand Bacon has maintained its reputation for high-quality, hand-trimmed, and naturally smoked bacon. Today, the brand is still owned by Tyson Foods and remains a beloved staple in the bacon industry.
The Current Owner Of Wright Brand Bacon
The current owner of Wright Brand Bacon is Tyson Foods, Inc. After negotiations with various meat-production companies in the late 1990s, the Wright family agreed to a buy-out offer by Tyson Foods, marking the first time since its creation in 1922 that a member of the Eggleston or Wright families was not in total control of the company. Since then, Tyson Foods has continued to invest in the Wright Brand Bacon facility in Vernon, Texas, expanding production and creating new jobs. The company is the largest bacon and ham producer in the Southwest, with distribution to 30 states and sales between $100M – $250M. The bacon category has seen volume growth, up 18 percent since 2017, with new people entering the category and existing buyers consuming more bacon, most recently due to an increase in at-home meals. Surpassing category growth during this same time period, Wright Brand has increased volume by 29 percent as more buyers are introduced to the brand. The expansion is expected to satisfy current demand and allow room for additional growth.
What Makes Wright Brand Bacon Stand Out?
Wright Brand Bacon is known for its premium quality and fanatical consumer following. According to SymphonyIRI Group, annual retail sales of Wright Brand Bacon are nearly $105 million, which is a testament to the brand’s popularity. The bacon is hand-selected and hand-trimmed, and its 100-year-old proprietary curing recipe brings forth uncompromising flavor. The bacon has a thick, smoky character that can be counted on in each and every slice.
The bacon is available in both raw and fully cooked options, with the Jimmy Dean brand providing trusted performance and ever-popular flavors for the latter. The brand’s packaging has been upgraded to a modern era while still maintaining its established brand feel. The new label features a lighter, brighter brown coloring with nice blending contrast on the bacon backdrop. The “Real Wood Smoked” lettering with the wood-textured font is striking, and a graphic houses the flavor, thick-cut, and weight of the product all in one place.
Wright Brand Bacon stands out from its competitors due to its hearty, thick slices and meaty flavor. It has been noted as far juicier than its competitors, with one taster saying that it tasted really porky. Some tasters preferred this flavor while others claimed it left a strange maple-like taste in their mouth. Overall, Wright Brand Bacon is a premium quality bacon that is loved by patrons everywhere, making it stand out in the meat-packing industry.
The Future Of Wright Brand Bacon
Looking ahead, the future of Wright Brand Bacon looks bright. With the recent expansion of the Vernon, Texas facility, Tyson Foods has demonstrated their commitment to meeting the growing demand for their products. The bacon category has seen volume growth, up 18% since 2017, and Wright Brand Bacon has surpassed category growth during this same time period by 29%. This indicates that the brand is resonating with consumers and has room for continued growth.
In addition, with more people cooking at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for high-quality meat products like Wright Brand Bacon. As consumers continue to prioritize quality and flavor in their food choices, Wright Brand Bacon’s hand-trimmed and thick-cut wood-smoked bacon is well-positioned to meet their needs.
